The daily adventures of four Sphynx, Dragonheart, a black and white tuxedo; Merlin, a blue lynx point and white fighting large cell lymphoma; Devi, a black and white rescue; and Chloe, a crazy tortoiseshell kitten.

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Saturday, February 04, 2017

One Year!

Merlin here! Today is a very special day. A day we never thought would happen. One year ago today, on February 4, 2016, I was diagnosed with large cell lymphoma of the GI tract and spleen. I was given one to three months to live. Here I am a year later, defying all the odds and still going strong!

Just over a year ago (February 3rd), I was at the vet, being evaluated by the internal medicine service at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Small Animal Clinic. I had been having loose stools and some blood and mucus in my stool, and occasionally vomiting some bile, so our primary care vet thought I had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). I was at OVC in order to confirm this diagnosis so I could be properly treated.

Merlin in the waiting room at the OVC Small Animal Clinic

They started with an abdominal ultrasound. It showed that there was something wrong with my spleen, and that my lymph nodes throughout my abdomen were enlarged. They tested my coagulation (since the spleen is important in blood coagulation), and then I was booked in for biopsies of the spleen and lymph nodes, to (or so we thought at the time), rule out cancer. We all expected that I would be back at OVC the next day to have an endoscopy to confirm IBD. I was in great physical shape, and other than the problems with my stool, that seemed to flare up when I was under stress, I was in perfect health!

Merlin after the biopsy - his skin is scabbed from the rubbing of the anaesthesia mask

They were able to get very good biopsies of both my lymph nodes and my spleen. They sent the samples out to pathology to be tested. The samples were good, they were clear, they were easily tested, and the results were very clear. The pathology report was unequivocal.

So later that day on February 4th, 2016, we received the devastating news that I had an aggressive form of cancer: large cell lymphoma of the spleen and GI tract. I was given 1-3 months to live. Chemo would only extend that by maybe a month. Needless to say, we were all incredibly devastated. My dad, who is my human, was overseas at the time, and we were very glad that he was going to be coming home for a couple of weeks leave very soon, before heading back overseas. We thought that we were going to be saying goodbye.

Now here I am a year later, and I am still doing great! Even my stool issues have cleared right up. I only vomit if I eat too much cat grass. While we certainly don't want to jinx it, it looks like I am currently in remission, something that is very common with small cell lymphoma, but is quite rare with large cell lymphoma. I am very glad to be uncommon! I am currently on prednisolone, but no other chemo. I am still a solid Sphynx, with lots of muscle. I still love to eat, I love to play, and I am enjoying life to the fullest. We don't know how much longer I have, but we are enjoying every day.

Thank you all for your support, for your purrs, prayers, positive thoughts, and friendship. It means so much to all of us that we have so many people caring about me. Thank you my friends.

I honour of this very special anniversary, we are holding a comment-a-thon. Every comment this post receives between now and 6 am on Monday February 6th, will lead to a donation of 50 cents to the OVC Pet Trust, which is working to find better therapies for pets and people!

OMC...a whole year. This is the most meowvolous news. And you look fantastic. We all know that prayer works, and we are not going to stop saying them nor will we stop the POTP and purrs. We want to be here to celebrate year two with you. Keep going strong, Merlin. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

hello merlin its dennis the vizsla dog hay way to show that nasty lymfoma hoo is the boss!!! the boss is not it the boss is yoo!!! i luk forward to seeing yoo agin on the sekund annieversery of yore diagnosis and on the third and on the forth and so on!!! ok bye

It's Veikko and Seppo here - we've stolen that hissy furry orange dude's account -ha! We just wanted to say how over the moon delighted we are to be commenting on this post today and celebrating you, Merlin, our HERO! No jinxes (or we'll have to run round the room three times to do the anti-jinx) so we are just going to say we are pleased your mighty muscular super-sphynx body is fighting those darn cells that no one wants ever. We watch your videos and are so impressed with your muscles - especially Seppo does as he's less muscly than me, Veikko. we really don't like the sound of all those investigations and are mighty impressed how you coped, and you moved house and you didn't have your Daddy there to hug you all the time. But he's back and you're here and we are super delighted. We are going to feast wildly tonight in your honour. Hurrah!

That is such amazing and wonderful news, dear Merlin! We have been purring and praying, and will keep right on doing so. Here's to many more years of living. Stay strong, and know that we love you, pal. :)

Oh Merlin we think of you battling against all odds and to know you are still holding that nasty "C" at bay we could not be happier. This is a day for celebration -- celebration of life! xoxoxoxoAnnabelle, Boo, Ping & Mr Jinx

Concats, Merlin! You know what? I still think you had an IBD flareup no matter what they say. Maybe they were reading someone else's films. Anyway I'm sending purrz and good wishes (and good fishes) that you stay in remission.

We shared and Tweeted and G+'d and Pinterested your post, cuz we are so very pleased to hear how you are in remission and look the picture of health! Your human takes very good care of you and we all love you very, very much! Rock On, Merlin!

Merlin you are a miracle boy and I couldn't be happier for you AND your family. It's wonderful you're still feeling good and going strong.....You look fabulous too. Mom and I believe that LOVE can make things happen that might not happen otherwise and YOU are certainly one VERY loved boy! Stay strong dear Merlin.

We are positively thrilled that you are celebrating one full year with your family after the diagnosis. It certainly warrants a big celebration and it's nice of you to do a commentathon to help others.

Congratulations! We hope you have many, many more days to enjoy your family and vice versa.

Way to go Merlin !!!!! We are always so happy when we read a post that says Merlin HERE and we know you are still defying the odds. Keep it up buddy we love you and we are so happy you and your family got a miracle.

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Concats on making it through a whole year. I am sure your humans are happy you are still here as well. We all need to live our lives like they might end soon. Me and mum hope you have many days ahead of you.

That truly is great news Merlin! We bet you and your humans are equally happy that you are healthy, happy and thriving! Life can't get any better than that :D Here's to many more years of good health, sweetie.

Merlin we send you POTP every night when we say our prayers :) We are so happy that you are defying the big C and are here with your Mom and Dad one year post diagnosis. Keep going strong friend!LuvsMarty and the Gang

Hi Merlin, Dragonheart, Devi and the mom! We're so pleased to hear that you are doing well, Merlin! It has been such a long time since the blogging days of Jake and Bathsheba. Life is precious; enjoy every day.

These are great news ! Maybe all these vets were wrong and you are in full health again ! Vomiting my 4 cats do on a regular base, that's just to clean their stomach after eating grass. Anyway you look in perfect health !

Merlin, you are truly a great magician! This is one of the loveliest posts we have ever read. We are so happy for every day you have brought joy to your family and all of us around the world, and we are so happy that you are once again part of our lives!

My 15 year old orange tabby was just diagnosed with lymphoma. He is currently comfortable on his medications and SQ fluids we give at home. I don't know how long we have with him, but every day is a gift. So glad you are defying all the odds! I hope we are as lucky!

Merlin, I can't tell you how happy your pals are that you're still here with us. And if your pals are happy, imagine how your peeps must feel? I BET THEY'RE OVER THE MOON WITH JOY!!! You are a very special kitty, my friend, and we all want you to be with us for many years to come.